Situated in the southern reaches of Africa, Botswana is renowned for its pristine wilderness areas characterised by deep lagoons, wetlands, lush palms, rugged hills and desert plains. The country’s primary tourist drawcard is undoubtedly the vast red expanse of the Kalahari Desert and its remarkably beautiful Okavango Delta, the largest inland delta in the world. These natural wonders provide a tranquil haven for an abundance of African wildlife to thrive. Other highlights include the impressive Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where visitors are privy to massive zebra migrations during the flood season; the Savuti plains, which host a significant pride of lions; and the Tsodilo Hills, where 4500 rock paintings form a unique record of human settlement over many millennia.
Chobe Riverfront Experiences
The Chobe Riverfront region offers two must-do safari experiences: an afternoon boat cruise and game drives into the riverfront area. These are typically scheduled as morning game drives and afternoon cruises, creating a well-balanced safari experience—although the order can be adjusted.
Chobe Riverfront – Boat Cruise
The Chobe Riverfront is home to some of the world’s finest boat-based game viewing and has rightfully achieved iconic status. An afternoon on the river, perhaps with your favourite drink in hand, watching the spectacle unfold around you, is a truly unforgettable experience.
This region can broadly be divided into two key areas:
- The riverbanks, where land and water meet
- The floodplains and islands, which lie within the river itself
Boat cruises usually depart from Kasane. After a brief stop for formalities with your guide, you head out onto the river. The boats vary in size—from small, intimate six-seater vessels (typically shaded) to larger boats equipped with bars and additional amenities—so there is an option to suit every preference.
Game viewing on the Chobe River can be exceptional. Hippos occupy the channels, crocodiles line the banks, and birdlife is prolific. On the islands, you may encounter buffalo, elephants, and a variety of plains game. Along the riverfront itself, sightings can range from smaller animals to large concentrations of elephants—one of the region’s defining highlights. Predators such as lions are also regularly spotted from the water.
As the day draws to a close, most cruises include a classic sundowner, allowing you to take in the magnificent African sunset.
Chobe Riverfront – Game Drives
Game drives in the Chobe Riverfront region are equally rewarding, particularly during the dry winter months when wildlife congregates at the river’s edge.
These drives are conducted in specially adapted safari vehicles, led by knowledgeable, locally registered guides who bring the landscape and its wildlife to life. Drives typically take place in the early morning or late afternoon, with stops made along the way whenever it is safe and appropriate.
The guides’ deep understanding of the area and animal behaviour makes a significant difference—they are highly skilled at locating wildlife and ensuring a rich and engaging safari experience.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya—“The Smoke That Thunders”—Victoria Falls is one of the world’s great natural landmarks. Straddling the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it forms a vast curtain of water that fills the air with mist and sound. The Zimbabwean side grants the most dramatic views, where mist rises like ghostly curtains and rainbows arc through the spray. Measuring about 1,708 metres across, it is regarded as the largest single continuous sheet of falling water on Earth. The adjacent town of Victoria Falls provides a convenient base for exploring the region, with a wide range of activities from scenic flights and microlight trips to white-water rafting, bungee jumping, kayaking, and safaris into Chobe National Park.
